Elastic modulus analysis of a 3D-printed permafrost simulation model with varying porosity in a seismic physical modeling

Abstract

Global warming is causing permafrost thawing, which can lead to permafrost collapse. Assessing the stability of permafrost against this collapse risk is essential. One effective approach to evaluating permafrost stability is to use the elastic modulus. Since the elastic modulus varies with the ice content in the pore spaces, analyzing its relationship with porosity is crucial for understanding permafrost stability. Previous studies have used rock cores to analyze the relationship between elastic modulus and porosity. However, the analysis of elastic modulus relative to various porosities in permafrost is limited. To overcome these limitations, porosity was controlled using 3D printing, and a permafrost analog model with seismic velocities and porosities similar to those of natural permafrost was fabricated and assumed as permafrost. To analyze elastic modulus as a function of porosity in permafrost, seismic velocities were measured through seismic physical modeling experiments, and the elastic modulus was estimated from the measured seismic velocities. Analysis of the relationship between elastic modulus and porosity revealed that the elastic modulus decreased after increasing to a specific porosity in the permafrost simulation model. These findings provide a quantitative basis for evaluating the stability of infrastructure on permafrost by demonstrating the significant effect of ice expansion on mechanical properties. Furthermore, this study validates the 3D printing approach as an effective tool to overcome the limitations of natural rock cores for systematic permafrost research.

Keywords

Seismic physical modeling / Permafrost / 3D printing / Porosity / Elastic modulus

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